Sunderland start-up ready for action

Two budding entrepreneurs who have launched their own film-making company are gearing up for growth, after seeing success since setting up in business.

Matt Eyre (22) and Rob Parsons (23) set up Sunderland-based Roar Motion in 2014, having graduated from the University of Sunderland, Matt with a degree in Digital Film and Production and Rob having completed a Video and New Media qualification.

They moved to the city for their studies, have worked with a range of clients including Northern Gas Networks, Liebherr and Seaham Hall, having been supported by the University of Sunderland to get started in business.

Roar Motion offers filming, editing and storyboarding services, and was launched by Matt and Rob after they met at the university. Matt originally from Rotherham, said that the company is starting to really gain momentum, with new clients coming on board and planned investment in equipment that will allow the company to take on more complex filming projects.

He said: “We decided after university to take the plunge and go into business together, as we knew we had the skills and drive to make it work.

“Between us, we have developed a good network and have been able to pick up work in Sunderland and the wider North East.

“We are investing all the time in new kit to allow us to produce better and better films, and the plan is to add drone filming to our list of services soon, which should put us in a different creative space.”

Rob Parsons, joint managing director of the company achieved a first class honours degree from the University of Sunderland in 2014.

Parsons said: “We worked on a live client project during our time at university that won us a Royal Television Society regional award and realised very quickly that we wanted to work as freelance film-makers when we graduated. Matt and I work really well together, and I think that reflects in the quality of our work.

“It’s fantastic that we are able to succeed in Sunderland, which is a place we definitely call home now, having lived here since embarking on our university studies.”

Gary Hutchinson, chair of Sunderland Business Group, which brings together the city’s business community to promote the city to investors and business owners, said he was delighted to see such vibrant, creative businesses growing in the city.

He said: “Roar Motion is just one example of the many hugely talented young businesses we have in the city, that – little over a year after going into business – is doing some great work for its clients.

“Sunderland has a really exciting business scene, with young entrepreneurs coming through from the college and university and making their mark on a local, regional and often even national scale.

“Ours is a vibrant economy, and one that is growing thanks to businesses like Roar Motion, and talent like Rob and Matt, who are choosing to base themselves here.”